Sigmund Freud and Psychosexual Development

Sigmund Freud believed that hidden forces are the cause of human behavior, rather than the obvious forces.

Unconscious thoughts reveal themselves in something called the free association, such as dreams where you talk and think freely.

He believed that personality consists of three major systems.

The Structure of Personality:

id- this starts at birth. This is based on the pleasure principle, which suppresses negative feels and enhances pleasuring instincts such sexual desires. The libido fuels psychic energy. The id feelings have to release its tension by impulsive actions and dirty thoughts.

ego– this is between unconscious and conscious thoughts. This is based on the reality principle, which puts a hold the id unless it is appropriate to be shown.

superego- this is the last system of personality to develop. This represents the part of us that does things just to please others. It shows ours morals and how well we follow the “rules of society.”

The Development of Personality:

The Stages of Psychosexual Development

STAGE

AGE

CHARACTERISTICS

Oral

Stage

0 – 12 months

to

18 months

Libidal energy is focussed on sucking things (nursing; being fed; accepting things through the mouth)